Bina write-in campaign outspends Page

Attorney Brian Bina might have been knocked down in the Republican primary, but he is not out of the race for McPherson County Attorney.

By Cristina JanneyManaging Editor

Attorney Brian Bina might have been knocked down in the Republican primary, but he is not out of the race for McPherson County Attorney.Bina lost the Republican primary for county attorney to incumbent David Page, but Bina supporters have mounted a write-in campaign. The Bina campaign spent just more than $1,000 from July 27 to Oct. 25. Page reported spending nothing since the primary.The campaign finance report filing deadline was Monday.Bina has not actively campaigned since his primary election loss, saying he needed to concentrate on his private law practice. He admits a write-in bid is a long shot, but he said there could still be a chance.“I believe, as I have mentioned earlier, that the possibility is out there,” he said. “I feel the people who supported me financially were very passionate about how they wanted the election to turn out.”Bina said he will take office if he wins the election.Page said he will be content with the voters’ decision.“I figure if the citizens want what I have to offer — if they want experience and integrity and someone who will not be unduly influenced or pushed around by small groups — the citizens will vote to reelect me,” Page said.There are no Democratic candidates in the county attorney’s race, so Page will be the only name on the ballot. Those wishing to vote for Bina must write in his name and fill in the oval next to the write-in line.Financially in the run for the Kansas House Dist. 73 seat, there is no contest.Incumbent Republican Clark Shultz outspent his challenger Democrat Pam Lawson $11,076 to $707.Shultz garnered the support of a variety of political action committees, some of which included the Kansas State Troopers PAC, Kansas Bankers Association PAC, Kansas Medical Society PAC, Stand Up for Kansas PAC and the Kansas Builders PAC, among others.Lawson received money from the local Democratic Party and a women’s PAC. The rest of her contributions came from individuals or private businesses.Lawson said she has concentrated her efforts on footwork and face-time with voters.“I’ve spent personal time to talk with voters —to listen to what they want — and to tell them what I think. I am hopeful I will win or I wouldn’t be doing it,” she said.Shultz said his financial edge has given him more opportunities to communicate with his constituents, but he said not all his spending has gone to ads. He spent about $1,200 on newspaper advertising and another $800 on radio advertising for the general election.Shultz said he has been pleased with the tenor of the campaign, which he said has been respectful. He said this speaks well of the community.Dist. 2 County Commission candidates Bob Carson and Linus Linaweaver were neck and neck in terms of spending as of the Oct. 25 cutoff for campaign finance reporting.Linaweaver reported spending $997 from July 27 to Oct. 25, and Carson reported spending $1,049.Both candidates said they thought they were well supported in the community.“On an election, you never know,” Linaweaver said. “A lot of people have expressed support for me, but it is up to the voters. They are the ones we are going to work for.”Carson said he is hopeful about his chances but acknowledged he is facing an uphill battle as Democrat in a red state. “Kansas and McPherson County have a lot of Republicans, Carson said. “We will have to see when the polls close.”Republican Jay Emler of Lindsborg reported spending $12,207 in the general election race for the Kansas Senate Dist 35.He faces Libertarian Jesse Bryant of McPherson. Emler defeated Bryant in the Republican primary, but Bryant was chosen by the Libertarians to be their candidate in the general election.Bryant’s finance report had not been posted to the Kansas Secretary of State’s website as of end of business Tuesday, but state election officials said they were still posting reports to the Web. The Sentinel attempted to contact Bryant, but he was unavailable.